Push button switch with flexible contact



May k25, 1965 N. J. DRISCOLL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH-WITH FLEXIBLE CONTACEI.`

Filed Sept. 11, 1964 s sheets-sheet 1 May 25, 1965 I N. J. DRlscoLL3,185,803

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH FLEXIBLE CONTACT Filed Sept. 1l, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 2 HG- 5k 0 64 F75' 6 60 64. 62 2)7 64- Z7 NE1L J. omscol.L;

INVENTQR May 25 1935 N. J. DRlscoLL 3,185,803

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WITH FLEXIBLE CONTACT Filed Sept. 11, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 3 I; A v 1; s 79 Ffa. a mi@ Il .f .2

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' INVENTOR. 24o. 24C*- United States Patent() 3,185,803 PUSH BUTTONSWITCH WITH FLEXIBLE CONTACT Neil J. Driscoll, 20980 Costanso St.,Woodland Hills, Calif.` Filed Sept. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 396,813 18Claims. (Cl. 20G-159) This application is a continuation-in-part of mycopending application Serial Number 228,218, filed October l, 1962, andnow abandoned.

The invention relates to a push button switch with flexible contact andhas particular reference to that type of device generally known as apush button control station.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the typedescribed that is economical in iirst cost, adaptable to existinginstallations and having design characteristics suitable, at least, formost commercial applications. inercial feature ofthe herein disclosedinvention, and particularly, the embodiment thereof newly disclosed inthis application relates to the fact that the field of use of theinvention has been materially enlarged. Thus the invention may beapplied to a wider variety kof useful applications while yet offeringthe applicable trade the initial economy and longservice life inherenttherein.

Accordingly, the invention comprehends a structurally unitary pushbutton station which may variably combine normally open or normallyclosed contacts, but which, nevertheless, incorporates unique featuresof cooperation between each push button, its retaining cover andflexible currentfcarrying element. Y

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a control device ofthe type described, incorporating in the operative combination, a uniqueterminal block having novel structural features importantly contributingto the utility and safety thereof. e l

Specifically, the disclosed invention comprehends a `control stationhaving a terminal block comprising a generally planar segment withupstanding posts integrally formed atopposed ends thereof. The`respective posts are appropriately apertured longitudinally thereof toaccommodate xed connection of the terminal block to the stationenclosure cover. In this manner the mentioned planar segment is ingenerally spaced parallel relationship to the cover. Flexible currentcarrying lingers are secured to the planar segment and interposedbetween same and the cover. In this position the lingers biasinglysupport a plurality of shouldered push buttons against the Additionalimportant functional and corna 43,185,863 Patented May 25, 1965 ICE'additional wiring terminal in predetermined relationship to a selectedlinger thereby adding double throw capacity to that finger.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to theassociated drawings and the following specitcation, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a typical embodiment of thestructure, Y

FIGURE 2 is a central vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, andtaken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE l,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a typically normally open contact andtaken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a typical normally 'closed contact andtaken along line 4 4 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational View of an alternate terminal blockconstruction which may be employed, the block being here shown with thecover and button structureremoved, y

FIGURE 6 is a sectional View, similar to FIGURE 3, illustrating theterminal block embodied in FIGURE 5, again with the cover and buttonstructure removed, FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan detail of the alternateterminal block of FIGURE 5,

' `FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of an alternate construction ofthe herein disclosed control station,

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIGURE 8, and

FIGURE lO is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIGURE 9.

To specifically understand the invention it will be noted that thenumber 2 indicates a cover which is normally fastened via screws 4, 4 toany conventional station enclosure such as a box, not shown. The coveris generally planar in form, that is, of relatively shallow depth ascompared to the width dimension thereof.

A nameplate 6 and an insulating barrier 8 are respectively mounted onthe front and rear of the cover 2 and a base or terminal block 10 isbrought into appropriate juxtaposition, as shown, the arrangement beingsecurely fastened to the cover 2 by the screws 12.

The base 10 is, of course, formed of any suitable electrical terminalblock material, while the cover 2 is preferably metallic for costreasons. The barrier 8 is composed of any suitable electricallyinsulating flexible material, and, it should be noted, is selectively apart of the combination and may be dispensed with if use voltage sounderside of the cover, the latter extending through ap- Y propriatecover apertures. The opposed side of the planar segment is provided witha plurality of integrally formed upstanding walls Whichtdeinetherebetween a plurality of cavities, the latter receiving metallicWiring terminals which, in turn, are lixedly secured to the planarsegment. Y Additionally, the mentioned posts are each provided withopposed shoulders extending outwardly thereof and generallyperpendicular to the long axis of the planar segment to tothe opposededges of the latter. `It will be apparent' to those skilled in the art,that, with the construction described, the operating lingers of thecontrol station are effectively shielded, during the operation thereof,from interference, by station connected wires which are contained in theenclosure. Further, the mentionedncravity defining upstanding wallsprevent wiring this contingency. Y

The mentioned shoulder structure, provides the station dictate.

Push buttons 14, 14 and 16, preferably of heat resistent material, eachcomprise a relatively larger radiused lower section or segment 18 and asmaller radius upper section Y or segment 20, the latter section beingmovably received within appropriate appertures 22, 22 in the Vcover 2.

For purposes of station power connection, conventional wire mountingangle mounts or terminals 24, 24 are preferably employed in associationwith the normally open contacts shown. In a typical normally closedcontact a formed mount 25 extends upwardly toward the cover 2 to providecontact location. t

.An important point in the invention are the fingers 27, 27 which areinterposed between the angle mounts 24 and baseV 10, as shown, formounting and locating purposes. Each finger 27 extends around carryingor plate portion 28 of base 2 and is Y"disposed in between orintermediate said base plate portion 'and `the underside of the cover 2.

The fingers 27 are formed of flexible current carrying with anadditional novel ,feature in that it accommodates the mounting of anappropriate electrical contact and i material, a functional feature ofthe exibility being hereinafter` described. p

Initial consideration will be given to a typical normally open contactas shown in FIGURE 3. It willl be seen that the linger 27 is hereflexibly biased upwardly and is received `within a complementingelongated slot 30 formed in the lower section 18 of the associatedbutton 14. In usual practice, the normally open buttons 14 are of agreen color, while the closed push button 16 is red.

Each slot 36 comprises a rst flat segment, here designated 32 and anangled segment which abuts the associated finger 27 to accommodate thebiasing pressure of said flexible finger 27 and maintain the button inits proper appearing condition on the face of the cover 2. This will beapparent when consideration is given to the rfact that the obviousdirection of finger force application may be reduced to two right anglecomponents, the vertical of which maintains green button position.

Turning to the normally closed contact and the associated red button 16,it will be noted that the related finger 27 is here, by virtue of itsinherent upwardly biasing action, in contact closed position with theformed mount 25. Again a slot, here 33, in button section 18 embracesthe linger 27 to maintain button position. However, the button 16,unlike the buttons 14, is provided with an axial cavity 38 whichreceives a button supporting spring 4t), the latter being in pressuredengagement with the cooperating finger 27.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 which illustrate analternate terminal block construction that may be employed in theoperative structure previously shown. Note also that for purposes ofclear disclosure the cover and push button structure has been deletedfrom FIGURES 5 to 7 inclusive, it being understood Ithat the structureto be employed is identical to that shown in the first describedembodiment.

In this construction the terminal block is designated by the numeral aand comprises a base portion 28a which serves as the carrying structurefor the wiring terminals 24a and 25a much the same as in the previousembodiment. The current carrying linger elements 27 also are similarlymounted.

The block construction of FIGURES 5 to 7 inclusive 'is further providedwith mounting posts 60 `at opposed ends thereof, These posts areapertured as at 62, 62 for screw mountingof the block to the relatedcover (not shown). Such mounting mode is illustrated at 12 in the priorembodiment. The posts 60 are here preferably oppositely shouldered as at64, 64 in FIGURES 5 and 6. The shoulders 64, 64 add structural strengthto the posts 60 and additionally act to embrace the operating parts ofthe control and prevent accidental wire entanglement therewith duringcontrol installation and use.

The base or carrying portion 28a is also provided with integrally formedand projecting wall means indicated generally at 66. As best seen inFIGURE 7, the wall means 66 comprises longitudinal wall 68 integrallyformed with transverse walls 70, 70 and 72. The wall '72 is transverselyforshortened to provide access to the formed mount or wiring terminal25a. It will be noted that the Vwall means 66 defines siX cavities 73,73 and 7S whereby the wall means embracingly receives the wiringterminals 24a and 25a. Note also that the wall means 66 projects agreater distance from base plate 28a (FIGURES 5 and 6) than the wiringterminals thereby protecting the latter from accidental wire engagementduring device installation and use. The wall means 66 further providesthe additional feature of adding strength and rigidity to the terminalblock. It will thus be apparent that the block structure of FIGURES 5 to7 inclusive, not only improves vthe functional utility of the device butalso materially adds to its operating capacity and safetycharacteristics. Y

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 8 through -10 inclusive, whichillustrates another alternate mode of construction of the hereindisclosed control station. In those features where the structure of thisembodiment are identical with .the heretofore described embodiments,identical numerals are used.

Specifically, it'will be noted that the shoulders 64a, formed on acommon side of the posts 60, 60, serve to support the longitudinallyextended member 77. The member 77, in turn is secured to the respectiveshoulders 64a via screws 79 or in any other suitable manner.

It will be recalled, that in the earlier described structures certain ofthe push buttons were identified as normally open or normally closed. Incertain field applications, circuit requirements may dictate that agiven button offer both a normally openl wiring terminal and a normallyclosed wiring terminal. With this in mind, attention is directed to theillustrative central push button here designated 74. Associated withbutton 74 is the current carrying linger 85 having at :the terminusthereof Vupper and lower contacts 76 and 78, respectively. The button 74is provided on the underside thereof, with transverse slot 80 whichreceives the linger 85. Cavity mounted spring 82 maintains button 74 indesired position. YA first contact S4, normally open, is operativelyassociated with contact 78 and a second contact 86, normally closed, isoperatively associated with contact 76. The member 77 is transverselyslotted in the area of contact 86 to receive one end of the wiringterminal 88, said one end being physically connected to contact 86 forelectrical association therewith, as at 90. To prevent grounding, theterminal 88 is positioned below and in surface abutment with theinsulating barrier 8. It will thus be seen that any selected push buttonmay be provided with both normally open and normally closed contactsthereby adding double throw capability to the control station. Thoseskilled in the art will understand that the structure disclosed greatlyenhances the usefulness and circuit capabilities of the station in fieldinstallations.

It will thus be understood that the disclosed control device structuralfeatures not only provide unique construction but also offer theadvantages of economy, long service life and continued safe operation.It will further be apparent that a generic feature of the inventionrelates to the unique mounting of and cooperation between the liexiblecurrent carrying finger 27 and the finger embracing associated button 14or 16 as the case may be. With specific reference to the normally opencontacts, it will likewise be apparent, a secondary feature of theinvention is embodied inthe angle engagement of the functionally joinedgreen button and finger and operative to maintain button position andproper guidance therefor.

The invention as shown and described is by way of illustration and notlimitation as will be understood by reference to the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a control device, the combination of an apertured cover, a basecarried by the cover and having a supporting element lin spaced relationto the cover, a flexible contact carrying lfinger secured to the elementand normally biased in the direction of the cover, a push button havingan upper segment received within the cover aperture and a lower segmentbelow said cover, said button being movable transversely of .the lcover,and means operative to properly position the push button in allpositions of movement thereof, said means comprising a slot formed onthe bottom side `of the lower segment and receiving said finger, saidlinger being biased upwardly to engage said button within said slot inall positions of button movement, said slot comprising two surfaceportions in angular rel-ation to each other, said finger engaging one ofsaid portions in the maximum upward button position and engaging theother of said portions in the maximum downward button position. Y

2. In a control device, the combination of a cover having a plurality ofapertures therein, a base element fixedly carried by the cover andhaving a carrying portion in spaced relation thereto, a plurality ofoperative electrical contact arrangements carried by said base element,each arrangement including a liexiblecontact carrying llinger and a pushbutton, Vand a flexible electrical insulating barrier carriedl by andinterposed between the base element and the cover, said barrier having aplurality of openings therein complementing the Iapertures in the coverand aligned therewith, said push buttons being received within saidopenings and apertures, each of said buttons being mounted in saidapertures and openings for manual movement therein, a shoulder on eachbutton engageable with the barrier at the upper button position, meansoperative to properly position the respective push buttons in allpositions of movement thereof, said means comprising a slot formed atthe bottom of each of said push buttons land receiving the relatedfinger, at least one of said fingers being biased upwardly toward thecover to directly engage the related button in all positions of buttonmovement, at least one of said slots comprising two surface Ysegments inangular relation to each other, the related finger engaging one of saidsegments in the maximum upward button position and engaging the other ofsaid segments in the maximum downward button position.

3. A control device according to claim 2, and including a hole in atleast one of said buttons, and spring means disposed in the hole and inpressured interposition between the related button and finger.

4. In a control device, a generally planer cover having aperture meanstherein, means to demountably attach the cover to an enclosure, aterminal block having a base plate, spaced posts engaging the terminalblock and interposed between the cover and the plate to maintain thelatterA in spaced rel-ation -to the cover, means securing the plate andposts directly to the cover, electrically conductive resilient fingermean-s secured to the plate and arranged to dispose a major segmentthereof intermediate the plate and the cover, said major segment beingin determined alignment with said aperture means, electrical contact`means carried by the finger means, other electrical contact meanscarried lby the plate and in operative relationship to the finger meanscarried contact means, wiring termin-al means electrically connected tothe finger means and other contact means, moveable push button` meansdisposed in said aperture means to extend therethrough, said push buttonmeans lhaving a lower segment engaged by the resilient finger means,abutment means on said push button means, said finger means being inflexible pressured engagement with said lower segment to pressure biasthe labutment means into engagement with the cover when said electricalcontact means are in open position, said push button means beingmanually moveable to flex said finger means and bring said contact meansto closed position.

5. The control device .according to claim 4, wherein said wiringterminal means are carried by the plate on a side thereof remote fromsaid cover.

6. A cont-rol device according to claim 5, and including wall meansprojecting from said remote side of said l plate and defining cavitiesreceiving said wiring terminal means.

7. In a control device, the combination of a cover means 4to demountablyattach the cover to an enclosure, opening means formed in the cover, aterminal block having a base plate, posts at longitudinally opposed endsof the base plate projecting therefrom toward the underside of thecover, means to secure the posts and plate to the cover to maintain thelatter in spaced relation to the cover, electrically conductiveresilient finger means secured to the plate on a side of the latterremote from said cover and formed to dispose a major segmentintermediate the plate and the cover, Velectrical vcont-act meanscarried by the finger means adjacent the terminus of said major segment,other electrical contact means carried by the base'plate andrinoperative relation to the finger means carried contact means, wiringterminal means operatively connected tothe finger means and othercontact means, and movable push button means disposed in said openingmeans to extend therethrough, and slot means formed in the end of thepush button means to receive the finger means intermediate the baseplate and cover, whereby,

means guides the push button means during movement thereof and permitsrelative movement between the push button means longitudinally of thefinger means.

8. A control device according to claim 7, and including flexibleelectrical barrier means carried by the cover and interposed between theposts and the cover, said barrier means including aperture means inalignment with the opening means to admit reception of said push buttonmeans, said barrier means including opposed side portions extending ingenerally angular relation to the cover to embrace the said terminalblock.

9. A control device according to claim 8, wherein said wire terminalmeans are secured to .the base plate on a side thereof remote from saidcover, said terminal means projecting from the plate in generallyangular relation thereto, and wall means projecting from the plate adistance greater than the projection of the terminal means, said wallmeans comprising wall portions extending both transversely andlongitudinally of the base plate to embrace the terminal means andprevent wire entanglement therewith.

10. A control device according to claim 9, wherein said posts areprovided with shoulders on at least one side thereof, said shouldersextending transversely of the base plate and having upper surfaces inspaced relation to the barrier means, a longitudinal member carried bythe shoulders in spaced relation to the base plate, second contact meanscarried by the member and in operative electrical relationship to thefirst mentioned contact means, said contact means carried by the ngermeans being in normally closed connection with said second contact meansand in normally open connection with said other contact means, and otherwiring terminal means carried by the longitudinal member and connectedto said second contact means.

11. A control device according to claim 10, wherein the other wiringterminal means are interposed between the member and the barrier meansand engaging the latter.

12. A control device according to claim 11, wherein said shouldersextend from both sides of the respective posts and transversely of thebase plate, said shoulders embracing and shielding the finger means andpreventing wire entanglement therewith.

13. A control device according to claim 7, and wherein said wireterminal means project from the base plate, and wall means projectingfrom the base plate to embrace the said terminal means.

14. In a control device, the combination of a cover, means todemountably attach the cover to a circuit wire receiving enclosure,opening means formed in the cover, a terminalfblock having a base plate,posts formed at longitudinally opposed ends of the base plate andprojecting therefrom toward the undersurface of the cover, meansconnecting the terminal block via the posts to the cover with 4the baseplate in spaced relation to the undersurface of the cover, electricallyconductive resilient finger means carried by the plate and having atleast a segment thereof intermediate the plate and undersurface,electrical contact means on the finger means and the base plate inoperative relation to each other, wiring terminal means carried by thebase plate on a side thereof remote from said undersurface andelectrically connected to the contact means on the base plate, movablepush button means disposed in said opening for movement therein, saidpush button means beingin operative association with the finger meanswhereby upon manual manipulation of the button means the electricalcontact means may be opened and closed and wall means formed on the baseplate on said remote side thereof andprojecting from the surface of thebase plate, said wall means defining cavity means receiving the terminalmeans and operative to shield said terminal means from short circuitcontact with the circuit wire.

15. A control device according to claim 14, and including shouldersformed on opposed sides of said posts and extending transversely of theplate, saidgshoulders embracing said nger means and inhibiting circuitwire interference with the operation thereof.

16. A control device according to claim 15, and including barrier meanscarried by the device and interposed between the posts and the cover,said barrier means including aperture means accommodating said movementof the push button means, said barrier means having exible side portionsto embrace said terminal block.

17. A control device according to claim 16, and including alongitudinally extended member carried by certain of the shoulders inspaced relation to the plate, other wiring terminal means carried by themember, other electrical contact means carried by the member andelectrically connected to the other wiring terminal means, said 8 othercontact means being operatively associated with certain of the firstmentioned electrical contact means whereby said` finger means isprovided with both normally open and normally closed electrical contactmeans.

18. A control device according to claim 17, wherein saidY posts areformed with and connected to the plate on opposed sides and outboardlyof said wall means as seen in side elevational view.

References Cited by the Examiner UN'ITED STATES PATENTS 1,499,370' 7/24JameS ZOO-129 3,073,934 1/63 Oakmall et al 20o-159 BERNARD A. GlLHEANY,Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner.

1. IN A CONTROL DEVICE, THE COMBINATION OF AN APERTURED COVER, A BASECARRIED BY THE COVER AND HAVING A SUPPORTING ELEMENT IN SPACED RELATIONTO THE COVER, A FLEXIBLE CONTACT CARRYING FINGER SECURED TO THE ELEMENTAND NORMALLY BIASED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE COVER, A PUSH BUTTON HAVINGAN UPPER SEGMENT RECEIVED WITHIN THE COVER APERTURE AND A LOWER SEGMENTBELOW SAID COVER, SAID BUTTON BEING MOVABLE TRANSVERSELY OF THE COVER,AND MEANS OPERATIVE TO PROPERLY POSITION THE PUSH BUTTON IN ALLPOSITIONS OF MOVEMENT THEREOF, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A SLOT FORMED ONTHE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE LOWER SEGMENT AND RECEIVING SAID FINGER, SAIDFINGER BEING BIASED UPWARDLY TO ENGAGE SAID BUTTON WITHIN SAID SLOT INALL POSITIONS OF BUTTON MOVEMENT, SAID SLOT COMPRISING TWO SURFACEPORTIONS IN ANGULAR RELATION TO EACH OTHER, SAID FINGER ENGAGING ONE OFSAID PORTIONS IN THE MAXIMUM UPWARD BUTTON POSITION AND ENGAGING THEOTHER OF SAID PORTIONS IN THE MAXIMUM DOWNWARD BUTTON POSITION.